一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变分析

目的分析一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变，并探讨缝隙连接蛋白beta2(gap junction protein beta 2，GJB2)基因235delC突变是否会加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋症状。方法对一个母系遗传性非综合征型耳聋核心家系72个成员取外周血提取DNA，经聚合酶链反应扩增后，利用Alw26Ⅰ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，对其线粒体DNA突变进行研究；利用ApaⅠ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，筛查核心家系中GJB2基因235delC突变情况，并对GJB2基因235delC和线粒体A1555G突变的关系进行研究。结果在27名母系成员中均发现具有线粒体A1555G突变，呈母系遗传；具有耳聋表型的为21人(77．8％)，家族外显率高；所筛查的包括配偶在内的72名个体中，仅3例具有GJB2基因235delC杂合子突变，且均出现在母系成员中，但3例的耳聋表型却不同。结论线粒体A1555G突变是本家系耳聋遗传易感性的基础，在该家系中GJB2基因的235delC杂合子突变未加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋。     

SUMO化修饰:一种多功能的蛋白质翻译后修饰方式

SUMO分子是一种结构上与泛素相似的分子,它参与蛋白质翻译后修饰。SUMO化循环与泛素化循环过程相似,但SUMO化修饰具有与泛素化修饰截然不同的功能。泛素化修饰的靶分子主要被蛋白酶体降解,而SUMO化修饰则介导靶分子定位和功能调节。新近发现SUMO化修饰参与调控线粒体分裂、DNA损伤修复及调节基因组稳定性、调控离子通道及生物节律。此外,SUMO化修饰功能的紊乱会导致某些疾病的发生。     

Occurrence of C-reactive protein in cryoglobulins

A previous case report described the formation of a complex between a monoclonal IgA with cryolabile properties and C-reactive protein (CRP). Our study provides the first evidence for the frequent occurrence of CRP in cryoglobulins (Cg) of all three types according to Brouet's classification. We performed a systematic immunochemical analysis of cryoglobulins from 18 patients by Western blotting and in 15 of 18 cryoprecipitates a single band (23 KD), immunoreactive with anti-CRP antibody, was demonstrable irrespective of the clonal composition of the cryoglobulins. This band was detectable in 4/5 of type I, in 6/8 of type II, and in 5/5 of type III cryoprecipitates, classified according to Brouet et al. In addition, the complement proteins C1q and C3 were present in nearly all CRP-containing cryoglobulins, presumably reflecting previous activation of the classical complement pathway at least. All three CRP-negative cryoprecipitates were derived from sera with low cryoglobulin content (1-2 g/l). Longitudinal investigation of 23 cryoprecipitates from seven patients confirmed that successful detection of CRP by Western blotting depends on the protein concentration of the cryoglobulins. Since complexed CRP was previously shown to be an effective activator of complement, via C1q binding, CRP may modulate pathophysiologic effects mediated by cryoglobulins in vivo.     

PAN-811 provides neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity by suppressing activation of JNK and p38 MAPK

In an earlier study, we demonstrated that PAN-811 (3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), a novel neuroprotectant, provides protection against glutamate, staurosporine, veratridine, or hypoxia/hypoglycemia toxicities in primary cortical neuronal cultures by upregulating Bcl-2 expression [R.-W. Chen, C. Yao, X.C. Lu, Z.-G. Jiang, R. Whipple, Z. Liao, H.A. Ghanbari, B. Almassian, F.C. Tortella, J.R. Dave. PAN-811 (3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), a novel neuroprotectant, elicits its function in primary neuronal cultures by upregulating Bcl-2 expression. Neuroscience 135 (2005) 191–201]. Both JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and p38 MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase activation have a direct inhibitory action on Bcl-2 by phosphorylation. In the present study, we continued to explore the mechanism of PAN-811 neuroprotection. Our results indicate that treatment of cultured cortical neurons with glutamate (100 μM) induces phosphorylation of both JNK and p38 MAPK. Specifically, pretreatment of neurons with 10 μM PAN-811 (an optimal neuroprotective concentration) for 1 h, 4 h, or 24 h significantly suppresses glutamate-mediated activation of both JNK and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, the p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor SB203580 and the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 prevented glutamate-induced neuronal death in these primary cultures. Our results demonstrate that glutamate-induced phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK is suppressed by PAN-811, which might contribute to Bcl-2 upregulation and PAN-811 neuroprotection.     

急性颅脑损伤患者治疗前后血清GM-CSF、IL-8、hs-CRP联检的临床意义

目的：探讨了急性颅脑损伤患者治疗前后血清GM-CSF、IL-8和hs-CRP水平的变化及意义。方法：应用放射免疫分析和免疫分析对31例急性颅脑损伤患者进行了血清GM-CSF、IL-8和hs-CRP水平测定,并与35名正常健康人作比较。结果：在治疗前急性颅脑损伤患者血清GM-CSF、IL-8和hs-CRP水平均非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0.01）,经两周治疗后则与正常人比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论：检测急性颅脑损伤患者血清GM-CSF、IL-8和hs-CRP水平的变化对了解病情、判断疗效和预后观察均具有重要临床价值。     

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to detect the presence of paralytic shellfish poison using an induced crab protein marker

A purified, high molecular weight protein (referred to as saxitoxin‐induced protein, SIP), was obtained from crabs, Hemigrapsus oregonesis, by affinity chromatography prior to use in a homologous crab SIP enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. The SIP measured in H. oregonesis control crabs given acute saxitoxin (SAX) challenge injections (SAX range 0–50 ng), was less than the amount of SIP present in H. oregonesis crabs exposed to a natural toxic dinoflagellate outbreak. The latter were collected from a paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) contaminated coastal area which also contained PSP toxic butterclams (2000 μg PSP per 100 g shellfish), tested by the conventional mouse lethality bioassay procedure. These ELISA results were confirmed by an immunoblotting procedure using anti‐SIP antibody. An immunoblotting procedure of purified SIP and crude SIP antiserum revealed no cross‐reactivity with control, SAX uninjected crabs, thereby indicating specificity of the assay. The method is fast and useful for the screening of antigens expressed in crabs as a consequence of PSP, and represents a procedure that will complement the standard mouse bioassay.     

Correlation between the number of apoptotic cells and expression of the apoptosis-related antigens Fas, Ley and bcl-2 protein in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

The relationship between the number of apoptotic cells and the expression of apoptosis-related antigens was examined In 56 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and in 10 cases of reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes (RHL). Apoptosis was visually quantified by the in situ end-labeling (ISEL) method, and the expression of Fas, Le^y antigens and bcl-2 protein was examined by Immunohistochemistry. The expression of Le^y antigen was observed in germinal centers of RHL and 45% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The apoptotic cell count (AC) in follicular lymphomas was significantly less than that in diffuse lymphomas. The distribution pattern of apoptotic cells In follicular lymphomas was inverse to that in RHL. In follicular lymphomas, AC was lower in follicles than in inter-follicular areas. In contrast, AC was higher in follicles than in Interfollicular areas in RHL. Le^y antigen-positive lymphomas showed a significantly higher AC than the negative cases. The Fas antigen-positive lymphomas showed a higher AC than the negative cases. However, AC in bcl-2 protein-positive and negative cases was not significantly different. These results suggest that Le^y and Fas antigens appear to be involved in the apoptotic tendency of tumor cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, whereas bcl-2 does not necessarily.